No regrets in not defending presidency - Chua

Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek (pic) has no regrets in not defending the MCA president post.

"My life does not revolve around politics, I still have other plans.

"However, I am still a delegate and a party member, so my support for the party continues whether in terms of giving advice or attending any programmes organised by the party," he told a news conference after voting during party elections in conjunction with MCA's 60th Annual General Meeting at Wisma MCA Saturday.

He said the decision not to defend the post was to give new leaders a chance to lead the party.

"I also hope and pray that the new leaders can win back support from the Chinese community and work to serve them," he added.

Commenting on the speech made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman when opening the AGM, Chua said the public should be smart in evaluating the BN as a whole, more so the MCA, as the party was a component party.

"This is not only about the leadership...it's about support for the government. The MCA is part of BN, whatever policies implemented by the BN will interpreted as MCA being part of it.

"If the policy is not accepted by the people, then MCA and other component parties also bear the burden," he said.

Meanwhile, Chua also urged delegates to respect decisions made after the election and to cooperate with the party's new leadership.

"I don't want history to repeat itself, whereby there were delegates who were not happy when I was chosen as president in 2010 and quit the party.

"It is irresponsible and disrespectful of the democratic system as well as the decision of other delegates, because this group wants certain individuals to lead and refuse to work with new leaders," he said.